Product Design Ideas: Cup Communiator

11/14/06

Piers Fawkes

6014 articles

Piers Fawkes is the founder and CEO of PSFK, leading retail & business intelligence platform, founder of Retail Innovation Week and co-founder of Wallkit. Piers is considered a trends and innovation expert and is called to provide talks around the topics of the reports that he and his team publish every month. He has provided hands-on advice to future-forward brands including Apple, Facebook, Google, Nike, Red Bull, Samsung and Target.

“Tug the cord to activate, squeeze to talk and hold to the mouth and ear.” Is there much more to say about this rather smart concept from Duncan Wilson. Ok, ok, the site also explains the thinking behind it:

By designing a communication device focused on the gesture of use, the relationship between the users and between the user and object I aim to explore the potential of the product as a medium for interaction and reassess the way we use technology.

The form and function of the Cup Communicator refer to the ‘two-cans and string’ children’s toy and the physical factors involved with that device. This typology and its associations remind us of the magic and playful intrigue of our first communication devices that has been lost by the desire for more efficient forms of telecommunication.

In this episode, the PSFK team will guide listeners through six main insights into why customers still care about the store in the age of commerce (hint: they still love brick and mortar!—here's in-depth research into how retailers can meet their new expectations).

Explore how three retailers are going beyond the point of transaction by dedicating store space to on-site services, introducing shoppers to different activities and skills related to their product mix

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